Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who suffer from ADHD often go undiagnosed as children, because the disorder appears differently in girls than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also have a tendency to develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol and substance abuse, which mask ADHD symptoms and delay the diagnosis. The co-occurring conditions, like depression and anxiety, are also common in these individuals.
Attention!
Women with inattention ADHD typically have a difficult time to keep up with their work, schoolwork and daily routines. They might miss appointments or leave their home unattended. They struggle to organize personal finances, record-keeping, and household chores. They are also prone to forget names and dates, and suffer from memory problems. They also have trouble sitting still for long periods of time and have trouble staying focused or following directions.
While impulse control and hyperactivity are more common in boys and men but the inattention ADHD subtype is also seen in women and girls. In fact, it's estimated that up to 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are inattentive. You must show five symptoms of inattention that persist for longer than six months to qualify for a diagnoses.
adults adhd symptoms can be harder for people to recognize because they don't perceive them as a disorder, or have different expectations of how girls should behave. This is why teachers and parents are less likely to recommend ADHD assessments for girls than they are for boys.
In addition, the manner that ADHD affects women can vary during different times of her life because of hormone changes. Women's symptoms may worsen when they are pregnant, menstruating or menopause.
These symptoms can have a major impact on a woman's self-esteem and life satisfaction. These symptoms can cause feelings of self-doubt and shame and make it hard to manage relationships, work or home chores. Women who are not treated for ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual activities that increase the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and other health issues. They might also struggle with rejection sensitivity because they have difficulty accepting negative or real responses from others. They may avoid social interactions or even isolate themselves because of it.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first indications of ADHD for women and girls. They may be more likely to delay or lose things and have difficulty focusing on tasks, and can easily become overwhelmed in a busy environment. They may also have difficulties getting sleep or relaxing and could be more prone to mood swings and anxieties. These symptoms can lead to problems at school, at home and in their relationships.
Since symptoms of ADHD are more prevalent for both genders women and girls can be overlooked for a diagnosis. Health professionals and teachers don't suggest ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do male ones. This can result in an inaccurate assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Combined with a tendency to conceal their problems, this can result in adults suffering from ADHD experience a greater impact from the condition than is generally reported. For instance, they might not be able to pinpoint a problem with concentration at work or feeling overwhelmed by household chores. They might have trouble making choices at the store or find it difficult to relax or sleep.
This could negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they could develop unhealthy ways to cope. This could include substance abuse or poor eating habits. This could make the issue worse over time, and hinder the woman from seeking help that could improve her life significantly.
Because ADHD-related behaviors are more accepted by boys and men socially, it is possible that girls and women may hide or suppress their ADHD-related behaviors out of fear of being rejected. For instance, girls who have ADHD may exhibit excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being criticized because they don't fit in with the norms of school or community.
In the end, these triggers can lead to a cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. Families as well as friends and teachers should be aware of the struggles and be aware that they could be signs of a disorder that has not been diagnosed. The disorder is treatable with medication and therapy.
Emotional Difficulties
Women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions than men. The mood of women with ADHD is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms like irritability and feeling of inadequate. Women who suffer from ADHD also are more prone to anxiety and depression. These emotional difficulties can have a serious impact on relationships and career opportunities.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a slog for parents and children alike, but it's especially difficult for women. Women can feel embarrassed about ADHD and might not seek help because of this. They may also try to mask their symptoms by implementing coping strategies such as drinking excessively or drug abuse, which could cause the problem to get worse. Masking can make it harder for employers and teachers to notice ADHD symptoms for women, and can lead to delays in diagnosis.
It's much easier for a woman with ADHD to conceal her symptoms in her teens and early adolescence than it is as an adult. Stress from everyday life and societal pressures to be successful in both relationships and work can cause more ADHD symptoms. These struggles can lead to women suffering from ADHD feeling like they are failing as well as low self-esteem and chronic distress. For some, an diagnosis of ADHD can be a lightbulb moment, helping people to recognize the root cause of their issues and giving them the chance to accept their own uniqueness.
Many women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time trying to receive help at work or school. They may be embarrassed telling a professor or supervisor or teacher about their condition, and they might worry that the accommodations they require could be seen as an indication of weakness or incompetence. The majority of teachers and supervisors are willing to make minor adjustments to help those with ADHD succeed in their work.
Women suffering from ADHD who are looking for friends who can support them can also benefit by joining online support groups. These groups can provide an opportunity to share stories and discuss the particular difficulties of having ADHD as a woman.
Co-Occurring conditions
As women and girls mature they can develop strategies to deal with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for others to spot. A girl may dress and act like her peers to avoid being criticized or bullied by other people. She could also compensate for impulsive and disorganized behavior by putting more effort into school or at work, or using productivity apps to get her tasks accomplished. These and other strategies for coping can mask the presence of ADHD in women and can delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Women and girls with ADHD are often diagnosed with depression or anxiety before receiving an official diagnosis. These other conditions can obscure the presence of ADHD and hinder treatment and recovery.
Women and girls with ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem, and coexisting mood disorders. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as being impulsive or overly emotional, which adds to their frustration.
Additionally many women experience difficulties in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to forget birthdays and make mistakes with minor details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. They also might struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances, and other responsibilities of daily life. These issues can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted which can create an unhealthy internal landscape of beliefs about their worth.
The presence of gender bias in clinical settings also influences the rate at which girls and women are being referred to receive an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers in the classroom to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms, and rate how likely they were to recommend or seek out services for the child they described. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
ADHD, like other conditions, can vary in severity and deteriorate at various times. For instance, symptoms might be more pronounced during a woman's menstrual cycle or during menopausal or pregnancy. These changes can lead to problems with social functioning, relationships, and academic performance. They may also contribute to feelings of failure and frustration.